The ultimate bugs or TUB collection....

Especially with these documented bugs. If you are not fond of little creeping, crawling bugs then these mammoth ones would terrify you and may show up in some dreams. In his awesome book "Biggest Bugs Life-Size" by George Beccaloni you will be mesmerized by these amazing large beasties. The stunning photos document 38 of the world's biggest, heaviest, longest and mightiest bugs that exist on our planet. The jump-off-the-page pictures captures their actual size and their colours are jaw=dropping. Mr. Beccaloni's text is rich with knowlegable facts and he includes maps that will help you discover the location of each bug. You will be wide-eyed as you learn about the Goliath Bird-Eating Spider, The Empress Cicada, the world's longest millipede that is the length of a strand of spaghetti and a beetle that is so strong, it can actually break a pencil with it's powerful jaws. Wouldn't your kids love to witness that? A perfect gift to give to your kids and oh the possibilities of a great school project using this as a resource! Believe me they will be so absorbed in this book that when you call them for dinner they will say....don't BUG ME...I'm reading a book. (yes that was bad but had to be said)

Read on.

Here is my latest book review for adults....might need this some day...who knows?

Fabulous Faces by Peter A. Adamson, M.D.

Fabulous faces all around,
How can I blend in?
I’m unhappy with the way I look,
And the state I’m in.

I’ve felt like this a long, long time,
I need to change my looks,
I’ve done my research, searched my soul,
Exhausted many books.

I’ve asked tough questions, thought them through,
Counseled with the best,
Found my doctor skilled and smart,
He puts my mind at rest.

This book can be a guiding light,
To refresh life’s tired ride,
Plastic surgery can reveal,
The “true” you locked inside.


Factual. Motivational. Rich testimonies. Inspiring. Credible. Recommended.

Read on and enjoy.

Sunday is....

Quiet. Still. Focused. Reflective. "Pause" day. Remember Sundays and celebrate often, covet rich family times, curl up for a nap, indulge in good books and live life to it's fullest. Happy Sunday to everyone! We will be productive with literacy again tomorrow the Lord willing. Shhhhhhh!

Any ornithologists in your family?

Ornithology is the scientific study of birds so an ornithologist is a person who studies birds. We have two bird feeders in our backyard and I put a silver tray out on the bbq top shelf full of nuts and birdseed too! The birds and critters that drop by for a meal or snack is amazing. We are always checking out our window to see who our new guests might be. I really encourage you to start your own feeding station and perhaps even find a cute little birdhouse to post so you too can enjoy the thrill of the wild as they come to visit your backyard. There are many, many books available that will help you identify the feeding habits, habitats and habits of the birds you may encounter. Here are a few for you to check out.

1. Backyard Birds: An Introduction by Robert Bateman and Ian Coutts
Mr. Bateman is an amazing painter of wildlife. This book contains exquisite paintings and very
informative text. He is a naturalist and storyteller and you put the two together it equals a
must-have book to explore and learn from. Mr. Bateman also raises much money for environmental
causes.

2. Backyard Birds of Summer: The Perfect Introduction to Birding by Carol Lerner
This is an oversized picture book with full-colour, to-scale sized pictures. It is cleverly
written to help kids (and you) be the best host/hostess for your birds that you can be.
The book explains how to attract, feed, identify bird species and actually contains maps for
you to explore. This book will get your kids involved in their environment and be awakened to
the nature that is right in their back yard.
Both books are highly recommended and it is a great thing to add non-fiction books to your collection. Happy Saturday to you and read on.

I spy with my little eye...

If you want to get your child into keeping a diary here are two books that will do the trick. We have been featuring garden/outdoor books and today I want to highlight two that will marry creatures in the garden with keeping a personal diary. The first book is called, "Diary of a Worm."

The review from Amazon.ca states:

"Doreen Cronin (Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type) and cartoonist Harry Bliss (illustrator of A Fine, Fine School) shed a whole new light on a creature that spends most of its time underground: the earthworm. Written in diary form, this truly hilarious picture book tracks the ins and outs of a worm's life from the perspective of the worm family's young son. Take June 15's entry: "My older sister thinks she's so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end. Spider thought that was really funny. Mom did not." Except for the fact that he can't chew gum or have a dog, the boy likes being a worm. He never has to go to the dentist ("No cavities--no teeth, either"), he never gets in trouble for tracking mud through the house, and he never has to take a bath. As long as he can remember Mom's rule "Never bother Daddy when he's eating the newspaper," all is well. Bliss's endearing cartoonish illustrations of anthropomorphized worms are clever visual punchlines for Cronin's delightfully deadpan humor. For example, "June 5: Today we made macaroni necklaces in art class" sounds normal enough until you see the worms wearing one piece of macaroni around their necks, taking up a good part of each worm's body. Children and adults alike will adore this worm's eye perspective on the world. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin Snelson"

The other book that is by the same author is called, "Diary of a Spider." From Publishers Weekly Starred Review.
"Cronin and Bliss repeat the comic ingredients that made Diary of a Worm so successful in this rib-tickling sequel. This time the diary is written by Worm's friend Spider and filled with similar verbal high jinks, deadpan humor and visual jokes that offer readers a whimsical glimpse of the world from a small creature's point of view. Endpapers feature photos of Spider's family as well as his favorite book (Charlotte's Web), his discovery of a "neat sculpture!" (a toilet bowl) and a playbill from his school's production of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (a review blurb by Worm says, "You'll dig this play"). Children will relate to the book's droll humor, as when Spider goes to the park with his sister ("We tried the seesaw. It didn't work") or when he takes his molted skin for show-and-tell. A slight story line about the tension between Spider's friendship with Fly and his Grampa's prejudice against all six-legged bugs threads together the amusing vignettes. (When Grampa says, "Without spiders, insects could take over the world," Bliss features a menacing alien bug as President of the United States.) This endearing book delivers a gentle message that comes through when Spider muses, "I wish that people wouldn't judge all spiders based on the few spiders that bite. I know if we took the time to get to know each other, we would get along just fine. Just like me and Fly." Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Both books are witty, informative, and the illustrations are wonderful. Try finding a follow-up gift - a diary for your child so they can become involved with writing and documenting the events of his/her life as it progresses. Read on.

"The Very Ugly Bug" review

Oh you will fall in love with this ugly little bug. Written and illustrated by Liz Pichon. She lives in Brighton, England with her husband and three kids. This book highlights self-acceptance and the important lesson that you should not covet or envy how others look. Ugly bug discovers she is unique, extremely lovable and extraordinary just as she is. Her adventures of changing and copying her friends lead her into grave danger. When she realizes her folly and reverts back to herself she becomes a super hero saving the day! Mr. Ugly Bug certainly likes what he sees and has googly eyes only for her. A delightful, inspiring story with a great lesson for your kids. You"ll come away being excited and very happy with the masterpiece of beauty that you were created to be. The illustrations, colours, and asides are priceless. Check out the "love bugs" at the end and know the ugly bugs are one big and exhilarated family. Ugly rules! Hurray for self! Read on.

Check it out,,,

I am following myself...that is kind of creepy. Oh well, I'll pretend I am a twin. I 'll call her? What name shall I call her? Give me some suggestions please.

Check out this wordle that I made for my new book review

copy and paste the above and check it out. Have fun. You can Wordle too.

Let the garden games begin....

Here is a fabulous book review for your viewing pleasure.


Growing Up Green by Charles E. Majuri, PhD

Awaken the “green gene” in your child by gardening together.

G – green, vibrant gardens are for sharing

A – adults with kids bonding together

R – relationships enhanced while nurturing natural spaces

D – developing knowledge, skills, compassion, and trust

E – everybody planning a little slice of paradise and witnessing

N – nature’s miracle of growth!

This is a motivational little book that will inspire you and your child to discover the treasures buried deep in a garden. It contains year-round ideas and activities that will open a child’s mind to the millions of possibilities found in an ordinary slice of earth. It is simple. It is do-able and most of all can be life changing. A little garden dirt on your jeans will awaken your green genes! Do it.

The theme for this week

Because the weather has been so gorgeous it is time to get out into the garden and start moving that soil. I am choosing the theme of gardens/bugs/backyards for this week visit together. You cannot believe the buzz and excitement that is in your backyard. You can play in it, dig in it, sunbathe in it or just sit and relax in it. Backyards are places of wonder and awe. You need to get your kids and discover, create, and be inspired by the great outdoors. You must mentor your kids on the state of their environment and what they can do engage in it's development and care. Come along with me and let's uncover this natural beauty that is ours to enjoy. It will be a gift that your child/children will keep forever. As you indulge, teach your child to indulge. Fresh air, soil, planting, harvesting, reaping what you sew is a magnificent experience. Get on your old shoes, your old jeans and t-shirts, don a floppy hat, spray yourself with sunscreen and let's go. Meet you in the backyard tomorrow. Blessings to you. Be prepared to read as you encounter your "ground" zero.

Tomorrow is comng...

Hope your weekend enabled you to read your favorite books. What an honor and privilege to be able to first of all interpret the written word and have access to millions of books to buy, borrow, and share with each other. May we never take that for granted. The next time you lift a celebratory drink...toast...to the reading of a good book! Be so grateful to be able to read on.

Long weekend, beautiful weather,finally.....

This day has it all. The weather is perfect, the extra day added to the weekend is perfect, and you have your choice of things to do. When you own that choice you must choose wisely. Will I go to the park? sleep in? nibble on some more snacks? finish up a good book that I am reading? All of the above is the perfect choice on a long weekend. Time is a perfect gift. We all are so blessed to be able to relax and do what we want. If you look around the world many people are unable to do that. They lack resources and peace in their country. Books, naps, special family times, sharing, loving, togetherness all are the order of the day. Chose the best, chose some quiet, reflective time with a good book. Pack a special storybook if you travel, stick one in your picnic basket if you can, browse a few book stores with your kids, model that reading is good this weekend. Read on.

New ADULT ebook for your reading pleasure

Some language in context. Good read. Enjoy.


Revenge Served Cold by Jackie Fullerton

Anyone up for a good book containing suspense, intrigue, murder, unrequited love and a touch of the supernatural? Well this book is just what to order up.
Anne Marshall, nicknamed Mrs. Marple by her associates, gets involved in the hit-and-run death of her law professor Elliott Spence. Although she is a novice her instincts and intuitions take over and she is in … in over her head at times.
She sets out to prove that Professor Elliott’s wife was not his murderer but was being framed by estranged friends of the couple, who have mysteriously re-appeared and re-connected with them. All the characters in the book join forces to find the real killer. Anne stays ahead of the police investigation with the help of a very reliable and unsuspected source. Get ready to be involved immediately with the plot and characters. You just can’t stop reading because you want to find out who did it and most especially why.

Read on. Happy Friday.

Pick a book

Want a fun game to play at bedtime? Pick 5 or 6 storybooks and place them in a pillowcase. After a nice warm bath show your child the sack, then blindfold him/her. Spin her around a few times and have her reach into the sack and pick a book that you can read together. If there is time do it all again. Try to do simple, fun activities to keep that spirit of reading alive. Read on!

Have a quiet, reflective day

Sometimes we take our children's learning for granted. We are quick to complain, point fingers, nd blame when their learning seems inadequate. On this miserable, indoor day let us take some time to be still and maybe recite this prayer on behalf of our kids/teachers/school boards. Prayer does work. Here is a prayer for our schools. We all have got to get involved in teaching our kids to read and become good citizens will impact our community and ultimately our world. Have a great day. Read on.


A Prayer for Schools By: George Pasley

Dear God,
We remember that your Son, our Lord
was once a schoolboy.
He once unrolled a scroll and learned to read
He once stood at Joseph’s elbow,
and learned to guide a plane.
And He once exasperated His mother,
in consequence of His studies
Remembering this,
we know that to share knowledge,
one with another,
is to enter into covenant with what we were meant to do.

And so dear God,
we ask your blessing upon all who teach
and all who learn,
your grace upon all who labour at the task
of sharing knowledge, each generation with another
Bless the parents who tape their children’s lessons
to refrigerator doors,
bless the care-worn citiizens
who gather to cast their vote,
bless the custodians and cooks and secretaries
who make our school hum.
Bless the one who drives the yellow bus,
and the one who puts the Band-aids on.
And bless the teachers, Lord,
that a spark of your joy divine
might brighten every lesson planned.

And most of all, dear God,
bless the children
Let a sense of excitment overtake them
each time they enter through these doors,
let a sense of wonder embrace them
as they pass along these halls
May they discover the collected wisdom of the ages
waiting to meet them at their desks
And may they learn the art of learning
as they toil at their tasks,
so that the wisdom of this age
might linger after class
to greet the children
of ages yet to be.

Murals anyone?

It has been raining non-stop in Mississauga for it seems like an eternity. Rain can be depressing and is a teacher's worst nightmare (all those indoor recesses). Kids get antsy, wound-up and just plain agitated when they are indoors all the time. This is the exact time to become really creative and find activities that will inspire them and keep them occupied. One thing that is really cool is to get a huge piece of paper (maybe two pieces of white bristol board taped together) and mount them on a wall. Let your kids paint, splash colour, experiment to create a beautiful wall mural. You can also just lay the paper on the floor if you are afraid that your artists may over extend themselves and continue on your freshly painted wall. Make it big, colours bold, "bump the sides" of the paper with colour. When they are done you can label different parts of the picture with word cards - ie "trees", "dog", "my house", "dad" etc. You also can compose a little story about the picture and stick it underneath. A few sentences are great to add too. Kids love to do things big. This project will take time and talent and will create an awesome masterpiece to show off when others come to visit. While your child is exercising his/her artistic talents accompany the activity with some music of choice. Engage them in art. Turn your home into an artist's studio and enjoy. Read on.

Writing with your child

Reading is so important to a child but so is writing. When you record words and children see words in their world this sets them up to write these words down. It is important to have pencils/crayona/pens/markers around plus great wads of paper. Kids love at first to pretend they are writing. They will make scribbles, lovely flowing arches or dots and dashes to simulate words. Try taking a few simple words and have them trace over the letters. Point at some familiar object and have them say the word it represents then you record the word. Leave a few lines and then have your child print the word underneath your word. Free-style writing of jibber-jab is normal so let your child have fun. Have them draw a picture and then say to them, "write some words or a sentence underneath to tell me what your picture is about." Encourage their writing skills as well as their reading skills as words/letters/sentences/paragraphs and stories start to have meaning for them. Don't make a big deal about spelling errors at first. If your child is a little older you can even take some of those misspelled words and make a personalized dictionary with the correct spelling for later use. Be creative. Make it non-stressful and fun! Reading and writing go together like two peas in a pod. Read on. Write on.

Saturday in the park...

Weather permitting head off to the park with some outdoor toys and a few books to share. You can read anywhere. Physical play is important, food for fuel imperative, and while you are chlling....read your little one a fun story. Always, always pack a few books in case you have a few minutes to crack open a favourite and read it aloud. I have seen moms read to their kids in restaurants while they are waiting for the food to arrive, at the pool awaiting a lesson to begin, in doctor and dentist offices....anywhere is the best place to read. I used to take books in the van when I picked up my older kids and read to my little "caboose" while we were waiting for that bell to ring. Who knows reading the park could draw a crowd and you may inspire other parents to do the same with their kids. Read on and happy Saturday.

Oops day!

Blogs been down. Could not access it. Will be back to normal tomorrow. Happy Friday and welcome back to my blog.

New Book review for you today!

Title: Journals of the Big Mouth Bass
Book 1 – Keeping Secrets

Author: Debbie Sue Bass Williamson

What do you do if you are a nine-year-old girl and can’t keep a secret? Your brother nicknames you big mouth bass and you know he is painfully right. You check out your birthday presents and cling to a gift that brings you hope. What is the best gift that you received? It is a journal from your mom and you decide to post your secrets to God because God won’t tell anybody. Your secrets are safe with God right?
Debbie, our precocious main character, pours out her heart and dreams to God and she is correct, the secrets stay bound between the pages of her journal. Her entries include reflections of her red hair and freckles (she hates them), her tomboyish ways (she aspires to be more girly) and her sad lack of girl friends at school. She explores her feelings and emotions through her writing and exposes her first real crush on Jesse, one of her brother’s good friends.
Keeping Secrets will draw you in as you observe how a little girl struggles to fit into her world and witness how she is maturing into a lovely young lady.
This book is also a great tool to use in the classroom. A teacher could use it as a stepping-stone to encourage her class to start journals of their own.

Read and write on.

Boys n' books - Part 2

The nursery rhymes say it all: What are girls made of? Sugar and spice, And everything nice, That's what little girls are made of. What are little boys made of? Snips and snails, And puppy dog tails, That's what little boys are made of. Ain't that the truth! They are so different all around so why should we be surprised when the reading skills develop differently too? You have to be intentional when it comes to teaching boys to read. A firm, loving attitude is the best method and then follow it through to completion. You can make the experience fun for them BUT there also has to be a serious side to their learning. Finding that perfect balance depends on your individual child's characteristics. You are your child's best teacher because you know that child inside out as opposed to a classroom teacher who has selected hours with him. Yes, boys can be a puzzle so here are a few websites to check out that will help you with book selections for them and tips to get you going. Gotta love those little guys. Praise, hugs and more praise are the best medicine for a struggling reader.

1) www.boysbookshelf.com (Jon Sciesk, Dave Shannon, Mac Barnett, Adam Rex)

2) Michael Wade and his wife Laura do school presentations and have a fabulous "boy" collection
www.booksforboys.com

3) dangerous books for boys part 2 (on Youtube)

Read on.

Boys n" books part 1

Why is it that so many boys would rather click buttons, kick a ball, chat out of turn, or roughhouse when they are to be quiet, settled and reading a good book? If I could answer that question I would be very, very rich indeed. Boys and girls are totally built differently when it comes to this subject. It's all about their brain. Boys need much more patience and discipline to get them to focus, realize the importance of reading and finally to actually get them to do it. It is our job as parents/teachers to help them find that center of focus and model/show them the value of reading a good book. If your male child is experiencing difficulty in this area be comforted, you are not alone. As the mother of two boys I totally get it. Boys love books that contain a lot of facts, (The Guiness Book of Records, The List Book), atlases (is that a word?), maps, action books,super hero books, sports books, car books. yes even video game books. Get them into books that they are interested in. They also love biographies of the people that they admire. You as a parent need to tap into their interests BIG TIME! Try subscribing to a monthly hockey magazine/ car magazine or video games magazine for their enjoyment. Buy interesting books that marry their interest with text to inspire their reading skills. Find excuses to share personal reading selections together. Don't ever, ever give up on them. Believe in them and tell them always that books are great. Drill that idea into them. Often the light bulb comes on over night and they finally just get it....I pray they get it. Sometimes I have heard when their school years are completed, they are married with a child, curled up on the bedside reading a good night story to their little one, you hear the very words that once came out of your mouth to him. Reading is important. Books are fun. Let's read this book together. He will pass that torch of reading on and be the encourager for the next generation. Read on.

FYI

May is short story month did you know that? Short stories are great to share and as read alouds. Children struggling with reading especially love short stories as they are a full story plot presented in a brief and sweet manner. Sometimes when kids look at a complete novel and see the sheer size of it they become overwhelmed and discouraged and think that they could never succeed in finishing a book that size. Short stories could be just what the doctor ordered!

To go one step deeper, if your child gets embarrassed or is shy about reading out loud to you have your child read to their favourite pet. Call over Fluffythe cat or Ringo your dog, and have your child curl up beside him/her and read them a beautiful short story. If you do not own a pet then you can make a listening audience out of stuffed animals or a row of old boots/shoes, or some colourful pillows. Just be creative in what you choose build a scene and let it all happen. The stationary listening audience will not criticize your child or make your child repeat words or sound them out. It is a stress free zone and kids love it!

Did you know that there is actually a volunteer programme in the States that brings dogs into the classroom to get kids to read to them. How awesome is that! I would invite them into my class in a heartbeat and watch my students blossom as their reading skills improve. Read on.

A big shout to all moms today...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE GREAT, DEDICATED MOM'S OUT THERE1 BLESSINGS ON YOUR DAY.

Tomorrow is a huge, happy, huggy, historic day...

When you use a string of words all starting with the same consonant that is called, "illiteration." It is fun to find and record words starting with the same letters and give your kids the proper literary term for it. "Alliteration" is the noteworthy word that we are playing with today. Make a card and print Alliteration on it and stick it on the fridge. Your kids will be so happy to know such a significant word and tell others about it. When this term comes up in school guess what? Their hands will shoot up first because you have exposed them to the term. Other words for that category could be: mom, marvelous, mine, maiden, masterpiece etc.
Tomorrow is indeed a great day in the life of a family. It is Mother"s Day. Mom who is the heart of the home is honoured for her role. It is a time to kiss, hug, encourage, and bless your mom. I know that elementary schools always have projects for their kids to do so they can make and bring special gifts home to mom. Do not forget to send a special card, bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates to her if you have not already done so. Other gifts can be non-material like an email, a text, n ecard or the very best - a homemade card made with crayons or coloured pencils sealed with a kiss,hug and smile and personally delivered. You don't always have to spend money to make your mom feel like she is queen, remember that. The old-fashioned way comes from the heart and those gifts are made with tender loving care.

Here are some books that are perfect for this occasion:

1. Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch by Jane O'Connor

2. No TIme for Mother's Day by Anderson

3. Blessing for a Mother's Day" Treasures of Motherhood by Ruth Bell Graham

The next three I used in my classroom with much success.

4. The Mother's Day Mice by Eve Bunting

5. My Mother Is Weird by Rachna Gilmore ***this is priceless****

6. Five Minutes' Peace by Jill Murphy ****another winner****

If you haven't got these books in your collection for tomorrow make a point of getting some copies for next year. Remember there is a book for every occasion and this is a big one! Read on.

The Collectibles- new adult book review for you

This book has a few expletives in it but in context and relevant to the characters.


Title: The Collectibles
Author: James J. Kaufman


The main character, Joe Hart, truly is a man of noble character. Born in the Adirondack Mountains, Joe is orphaned at a young age and goes to live with his aunt and uncle who end up raising him. From a very simple and humble beginning, through hard work and determination, Joe first excels at being a navy submarine commander and later chooses a career as a high profile lawyer. He is greatly respected and sought after in his chosen field. He is a man who leads with his heart and treats people around him with dignity, identifying with their personal struggles and suffering. His generous spirit leads him to befriend the irregular people of humanity, which he lovingly refers to as “his collectibles.”
Preston Wilson, on the other hand, is a self-centered very rich businessman who is on the brink of bankruptcy. He thinks only of himself and his power resulting in making very bad business decisions. His repeated, careless actions cause much pain not only to the well being his numerous companies, but also in his personal life. He seeks out Joe Hart for wise council and trusts him to sort out the mess that he is in. Joe finally accepts to represent him on the condition that Preston totally submits himself and follows Joe’s rules implicitly. Period. No negotiations. Preston has no choice but to comply and accept Joe’s challenge if he is to survive.
The bottom line is that Preston must inherit and promise to befriend and care for Joe’s collectibles for the rest of his life. The beautiful irony is that Preston becomes a totally transformed man in the process. The attributes that Joe Hart exudes: loyalty, compassion and unconditional love make him a very endearing man to many. As you read the book these qualities are the ones that you would like to embrace and transpose into your own life.
My verdict: Guilty of loving this book and passing it on to others to read.

Adults need good reading material too. Read on.

Where does the time go?

Ever look at your kids and say,"It seems like only yesterday I brought you home from the hospital and look at you today?' You realize how time flies when you have kids. All kids love a family environment and the love and security that comes with "belonging." If you want a meaningful activity drag out those family photo albums and discuss your child's growth in pictures. It is fun to just sit with your child and reminisce about his/her life. I will bet you that you will teach them something about the family history, the locations where your family hangs out, relatives both distant and near and generally have a great old bonding time. Kids want to know where they came, how they came into this world, about their siblings, why they have these pets in the home and visually witness all their stages of growth. It is a great experience to orally tell that tradition like they did so many years ago when printed books were not yet in use. Our older generations did this automatically with their children but we as more modern parents need to be reminded how important it is to discuss our own family's place in history. Both you and your child will be blessed as you thumb through those pages and remember. Read on.

A good book to get regarding this topic is "Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born" by Jamie Lee Curtis.

HELLO

A big HELLO to everyone who journeyed with me today and especially to my new followers. You are all so welcome to my blog.

I remembered...

A while back I mentioned something fun called a "string story." What is a sting story you may ask? Well let me tell you. You take a large piece of bristol board and a marker or pen and mount it in a communal spot so people can get at it. You also can use a sheet of paper and a pen on a table or desk but it is not half as much fun. You then compose a clever, witty, interesting first sentence to a story and then get out of the way. Throughout the day people in your family or guests that visit you will simply add another sentence to the story. It truly is a fun exercise. What you started out to say can be completely twisted by the time the story ends. At the end of the day you sit down with your child and read the end product. It is not hard and you get to see people's own creative input. String stories are a blast and are meant to ignite imagination, vocabulary explosions and sometimes just downright silliness. Start one today and see what you can come up with in your family. Send me a copy of your endeavors and I would love to post some for others to enjoy. Read on.

Hide n' Seek

Want a fun game to play indoors when the weather is terrible outside? Get ten or more blank cards to write words on. Take a marker and write words that are meaningful to your child (mother, father, a pet's name, grandma, your street name etc.) in large bold print on each of those cards. When your child is not looking go around the house and hide the cards in different places. When you need a little excitement and fun in your day give your child a cute little birthday bag, a box, or any container and have your child go around your home and sniff out those words. When they have all been collected sit down and read through the words together. Remember if your child does not know the word just tell them and don't run any tests. Have your child place the words on the fridge or a bulletin board to read to dad when he arrives home. This game can also be played in the dark. Hide the words, give your child a flashlight and off they go. Any way you play it it is fun, educational and a great way to engage with each other. Read on.

Raindrops keep falling on my head....

THey keep falling on my head, my shoulders, my coat, everywhere! It is another gloomy, wet day in Mississauga. Seems like the clouds are releasing teardrops and the sun is blocked to expose the new and sunny month of May. The great news is that my lawn is greening up and some of my plants are ready to blossom. It is fun to look into the garden and see all the beautiful, scented flowers shining in their glory when the sun peeks through. I have a few children"s garden books to tell you about today. Gardening is fun, creative and educational so make sure you involve your child in the planting/weeding/tending process. Digging in the dirt can be very soothing to the soul too. It also can be a great time of discovery. Plan on issuing garden gloves, all the garden tools and gadgets you can and a proper garden hat to your little gardener for that special occasion. Let your child poke, dig and mess around guilt-free freeing their spirit to commune with the earth. Dirt is amazing. Plants are exciting. Being outdoors is healthy. Here are a few books that I recommend to give you some creative ideas with this exciting outdoor project.

1. Roots Shoots Bucket Boots: Activities To Do in the Garden by Sharon Lovejoy

2. I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by
Jennifer Ward

3. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Digging in the mud can also an adventure. Wet or dry dirt rocks! Read on.